Outspoken: ‘Modern Family,’ Annise Parker, Joe Solmonese and more…

“I don’t ever really think of things as out or in. I just think I am who I am, and when topics come up that are appropriate, I’ll talk about them and share when it seems right.”

— Actress Sara Gilbert, known for her work on “Roseanne,” discussing how she will be open about her real-life role as a lesbian mom on her new CBS chat show, “The Talk.” (Entertainment Weekly, July 28)

“To boost development, a city needs to be open to a full range of people, especially the innovative ones who break barriers, like people of the gay community.”

— Houston, Tex., Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, in remarks at the Shanghai World Expo. Parker led a 60-member Houston business delegation to the Chinese city. (Xinhua, Aug. 2)

“Target and Best Buy’s long history of inclusion and fairness makes these donations all the more troubling. These multi-billion dollar companies have spent years treating the LGBT community with respect and dignity. Now they have slapped us in the face for $250,000. We had no choice but to call them out in Minnesota’s biggest newspaper.”

— Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, on why the national LGBT group purchased ads denouncing the companies’ donations to a political action committee backing Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who has praised a Christian rock band that supports killing gays.

“Maybe it would be a destination wedding. Us going somewhere that gay marriage is legal. But they have to save some of that stuff. We hope to be on the air for seven years.”

— Actor Eric Stonestreet, commenting that there is “no doubt” his character, Cameron, will eventually wed his partner, Mitchell, on the ABC sitcom “Modern Family.” (New York Post, Aug. 1)